January 28, 2024
Chris White
Today’s readings focus on the spark of divinity found within each of us, and the central role that the love and grace between God and humankind plays in that divinity. Our hymns each interact with that topic in different ways. The Processional Hymn, “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,” is specifically appropriate for Epiphany, as it recapitulates themes of Christ’s birth and the coming of the Magi as it describes Jesus’s role as savior. The words were written by the hymnist James Montgomery (1771-1854), a progressive Christian activist who was intermittently imprisoned for his activism (he wrote strongly in favor of the French Revolution, for instance). The Sequence Hymn, “O for a thousand tongues to sing,” was written by Charles Wesley, a leader in the early Methodist movement. He wrote this hymn during a spiritual breakthrough after a period of struggling with his faith. You can hear the joy and celebration in the words, as well as in the dance-like musical setting.
The final pair of hymns are two of my favorites. The Communion Hymn, “Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness” is a tender and expressive hymn that dates to 17th century Germany and was often quoted by German composers in their sacred compositions, including J.S. Bach and Johannes Brahms. The hymn is a deeply personal prayer to Jesus, asking for divine sustenance and softly admitting one’s love and devotion to God. The Recessional Hymn, “O love how deep, how broad, how high,” takes up many of these same themes, but now proclaiming God’s and humankind’s reciprocal love and devotion in a joyous, waltz-like setting.
The Opening Voluntary is a meditation on Love by Joni Mitchel, the contemporary folk artist. The setting is a collaboration between our guest artist, Kevin Hanley, and myself. The tune is deceptively simple, acting as a vehicle for incisive and poignant lyrics about the complexity and nuance that accompanies our role in this world as loving, caring, feeling creatures. The Offertory Anthem is also about Love. Thomas Tallis’s “If Ye Love Me,” dates from Tudor England. The text describes how Jesus acts as humankind’s “comforter,” and how we are bound together with divine forces by our mutual devotion. For the Communion Anthem, the choir will sing a piece I wrote using a portion of text from Psalm 119, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” Depicting how God’s guidance can act as central organizing force and motivation in our lives, the piece begins with the choir’s voices in a disorganized jumble, and slowly comes together as the music increasingly focuses on the text. Finally, the Closing Anthem is a selection from the Stephen Schwartz’s musical, Children of Eden, a show based on the Genesis story. “Lost in the Wilderness” describes the characters’ searching and yearning for God’s grace and love.
“Both Sides Now,” Joni Mitchel
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
And you leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's love's illusions that I recall
I really don't know love
Really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say, "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
Oh, but now old friends they're acting strange
And they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
It's life's illusions that I recall
I really don't know life
I really don't know life at all
“If Ye Love Me”, Thomas Tallis
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father,
and he shall give you another comforter,
that he may 'bide with you forever;
E'en the sp'rit of truth.
Psalm 119, 105-107
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
I have sworn an oath, and I will perform it, that I will keep Thy righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much; quicken me, O Lord, according unto Thy word.